I Love You to the Edge and Back (A How to Train your Dragon Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty Three: Astrid's Time

Nothing had changed. For five whole months, Hiccup and Astrid have been trapped on the island. They have not found out where they are, or how to get back. They have flown by the seat of their pants, just getting by. They have lived on fish and provisions, Astrid and Nightfire getting the majority.

As for their relationship, it has grown stronger than ever. Hiccup and Astrid have grown closer together, while Nightfire and Toothless teach each other more about the Night Fury and Alpha world every day.

Even though they are far away from home, the spirit of their Berkian family and traditions lives on....

"Hiccup! What was that?" Astrid asked from inside the tent. There was what sounded like a dragon scream heard in the distance. Almost like a Deathsong. Hiccup looked from the fire he was gazing into. The orange, yellow, and red colors dazzled him, into forgetting about most of the problems he was facing. The one that never left his mind, however, was Astrid and the baby, along with Nightfire.

"I'm gonna find out. You stay here," Hiccup said. He climbed on Toothless's back. He locked his leg into place, preparing to take off.

"Come say goodbye?" Astrid asked.

"Alright," Hiccup said. He got off Toothless, and walked to where the tent was. Astrid was sitting inside, doing nothing resourceful. It was quite odd.

"What do we do if I don't find anything?"

"Then we'll make do," Astrid replied. 

"I love you," Hiccup said, leaning down to kiss Astrid. His voice was raspy and quiet. Over the past seven months, he inhaled a lot of ash and smoke.

"I love you too," Astrid said. She rested her head on the headrest Hiccup had made.

"Stay out of danger," Hiccup ordered.

"You know I will," Astrid said. She waved as Hiccup left. "Okay boy. Let's go see, and get back. This may be the last opportunity we have to scout. Astrid and Nightfire will need us until the babies are born," Hiccup said. He squinted, but failed to see anything.

"See anything bud?" He asked his dragon on the way back.

Toothless warbled, and Hiccup sighed. Why did I force Astrid to go to that island in the first place? Hiccup asked himself. Before his conscious got the chance to answer back, Hiccup heard something in the distance. When he listened closer, he heard;

"Steady on men, they have to be here somewhere," Dagur said. The oars created steady rhythm as they propelled the boat forward.

Hiccup started the descent toward the ship, mind racing. We are free. We'll finally get home, where Astrid can have our baby safe and sound. He already started forming the conversation he would have with his mother.

"Mom, Astrid is gonna have a baby."

"Oh that's wonderful...." Hiccup didnt get to finish his fantasy, before he heard Astrid shout. He was just on the edge of the clouds.  Mere meters and the ship and her crew would've spotted his black fury of night.

"Hiccup, it's Nightfire! I think the baby is in trouble!"

Hiccup weighed the options, but the scale didnt tip to the side with him going to the ship. The squad would find another way to Berk. Hiccup turned around, and headed towards camp.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I think she's laying her egg."

"But, if their baby comes early...." Hiccup started.

"Then ours will too," Astrid looked down, worried for their unborn child. Grey clouds were forming on the horizon.

After Dagur and his ship returned to Berk

"Did you find them?" Valka asked, hopes high. She had gotten to the docks as soon as she saw the sails with a Skrill on them.

"No."

All of Berk sighed in discouragement. They hadn't seen him for eight months. "If he hadn't gone on that trip, he would still be here!" Spitelout said, raising his axe. Others nodded in agreement.

"No, he needed to go. I'm sure they just took a detour," Merida argued.

"If they took a detour, we would've spotted them. Besides, the cloud of smoke and ash in that area tells me that they are gone," Dagur said. Fishlegs was the last to get out of the ship. Heather ran to greet him.

All men and women removed their helmets from their heads. This was the last search party that was able to go out, for winter was fast approaching. No one had gathered anything yet. It was a little late start, but Valka insisted they go one more time.

"They are gone," Heather said. She leaned on Fishlegs, unable to bear the weight of the news. Her best friend of over five years wouldn't be coming home.

"Heather, Hiccup was my brother."

"Hiccup was my cousin."

"Hiccup was my son."

"Astrid was my daughter."

"And now they're gone," Heather cried. She hugged Fishlegs even tighter.

The funeral was held in two days time. They had no bodies to bury, so they went with an empty boat. No tears were left dry on that day, for every heart ached for the protection they felt under their Chieftain.

"Which is why, I, Valka Haddock nominate to join the tribes of the Berserkers and the Vikings, naming Dagur as our Chief."

"I don't know Valka. Can't we pick someone from the village? Or Stoick's nephew?" Gobber asked.

"Gobber, its what Hiccup would've wanted."

"I know." So, it was decided. Berk, was now Berserk. Heather would lead the branch on the Island with Fishlegs.

"May you rest with your father, and dine with all the great Chiefs of the past." Valka could not continue, for grief overtook her. "I'm sorry Hiccup. I'm sorry for not being there for your first steps. For your first words, your first date. Your first flight on the back of a dragon. I'm sorry."

"Valka, you shouldn't apologize. He knows," Heather said. She wiped the tear rolling down her cheek. Her shaky smile caused Valka to fire her flaming arrow into the night sky.

We will live on Hiccup. I promise....